Alabama Handles Michigan Easily, 41-14

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images(ARLINGTON, Texas) -- Alabama is off to a good start defending their title. (2) Alabama beat down (8) Michigan, 41-14, Saturday, in a game that was never close.

Alabama, who lost three defensive starters from last years National Championship squad to the NFL, held Michigan's star quarterback Denard Robinson to 27 yards rushing while picking him off twice in the win. Despite the dominant performance, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron said the team wasn't trying to make a statement.

"I personally don't think we were trying to send any type of message really," McCarron said after the game. "We're trying to do what coach (Nick Saban) always preaches, that's just go out and play our game. Take care of what we're supposed to take care of, and at the end everything will just fall in place."

Alabama did just that, winning the turnover battle three-to-one and holding Michigan to just 269 yards of total offense.

The Crimson Tide will take on Western Kentucky next Saturday, in Tuscaloosa.